NCCAA names four Lions as All-Americans

Akorikin headlines quad squad of Griffin, Golson, Gish

SAGU finishes season at 6-4, rated No. 3 in NCCAA

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- The National Christian College Athletic Association announced their 2013 All-American Football Teams and Southwestern Assemblies of God University had four players chosen.

SAGU is among the twenty teams, who are largely comprised of member schools from the NAIA and both Division II and III of the NCCAA.

Peter Akorikin, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound junior from Dallas, Texas, was chosen a Second Team All-American on the Offensive Line.

Akorikin (ah-KOHR-eh-kin) played his prep career for the Class 4A Emmett J. Conrad High School (near Walnut Hill and Hwy 75 in north Dallas) Chargers.

The Lions, who finished the season ranked No. 3 in NCCAA, had their final three selections named Honorable Mention.

Junior halfback Troy Griffin and senior quarterback Reid Golson along with senior placekicker James Gish garnered inclusion to this group.

At 5’10, 205, Griffin, a Houston native, transferred to SAGU this season from Texas A & M – Commerce (65 miles northeast of Dallas).

Golson played his final three seasons for the Lions after a freshman campaign at Howard Payne University (Brownwood, Tx). He hails from Grandview, Texas (south of Ft. Worth), where the 5’11, 197-pounder suited up as QB for the Grandview HS Zebras.

Gish (hard g) was a four-year starter for the Lions. He enjoyed kicking at the 10,000 seat Lumpkins Stadium during his prep career for Waxahachie HS. The left-footed Gish stands 5’9 and tips the scales at 195.

Akorikin was one of several O-linemen who played key roles in the team ranking No. 27 in the NAIA in rushing offense.

The Lions’ 188 rushing yards per game easily topping the NAIA's Central States Football League.

When it came to protecting the passer, the Lions allowed just 15 sacks in 10 games. That ranked them 21st in the NAIA.

As a result, Golson was able to span downfield from a more secure pocket. He increased his completion percentage from 43% to 59%.

Griffin rushed for 537 yards, reaching 89 or more in three games. He converted nine carries into touchdowns.

He snared six passes including a 49-yard TD ramble at Haskell University that stood as the Lions’ longest aerial of the season. It came on a screen pass in the middle of the field that he parlayed into a dash up the sidelines.

A small number that revealed his ability to produce was 'yards lost' on his 126 totes of the pigskin. He only lost a total of five combined yards.

That translates into consistent, positive gains, rather than negative plays. His impact included explosive bursts in the red zone. He also overcame some early season fumble issues.

The cog in the wheel of the Purple Pride was Golson, the CSFL’s total offense leader (227 ypg) for the second straight year.

He was second in the league in rushing (728 yds, 5.0 ypc) and surpassed 100-yards on two occasions.

As a passer the bearded signal-caller was 3rd in the CSFL with 155 yards per game. He completed a career-best 59% (156 of 264) of his throws for 15 TDs. Golson was picked off only six times, half of his total in his junior year.

Splitting the uprights was a job in which Gish excelled!

He booted 11 of 15 field goal tries and made 32 of 33 PATs (point after touchdown) for 65 points.

His longest field goal as a senior was from 44 yards out, though he blasted a pair from beyond 50 during his junior season. That year he booted 15 of 21.

Azusa Pacific University crushed Greenville College, 67-0, in the NCCAA’s annual Victory Bowl. The game was played in Rome, Georgia.

Deservedly, the APU Cougars had the most players on the team. (see team by team breakdown below)

Geneva College (5-5) was second with eight; followed by Trinity International University (5-5), who had six representatives.

Surprisingly, nine teams with non-winning records had as many or more All-American representatives than SAGU or the University of Northwestern, both of whom were 6-4.

SAGU won their final four games to finish second in the CSFL with a 4-1 league mark. The Lions were second in both offense and defense and enjoyed solid special teams play.

The Lions capped the fall with a stirring, 38-34 comeback against nationally ranked Bacone College (Ok).

SAGU broadcasts all home games in HD video by SAGU Sports Live, the finest production in the NAIA.

The team will open their annual spring training camp in March/April in anticipate of an encore season.

Players interested in information on Lions Football should contact Head Coach Jesse Godding at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.

NCCAA Team (Location)

Mascot

Record

Representatives*

Azusa Pacific University (CA)

Cougars

10-2

9 (7-1-1)

Bluefield College (VA)

Rams

0-11

2 (0-1-1)

Campbellsville University (KY)

Tigers

4-6

5 (3-0-2)

Chowan University (NC)

Hawks

4-6

5 (2-3-0)

Geneva College (PA)

Golden Tornadoes

5-5

8 (2-4-2)

Greenville College (IL)

Panthers

9-2

5 (3-0-2)

Kentucky Christian University

Knights

3-8

5 (3-1-1)

Maranatha Baptist Bible College (WI)

Crusaders

1-9

4 (0-2-2)

McMurry University (TX)

War Hawks

3-8

3 (0-3-0)

Mississippi College

Choctaws

4-6

3 (0-2-1)

North Greenville University (SC)

Crusaders

5-6

4 (3-0-1)

Olivet Nazarene University (IL)

Tigers

3-8

5 (0-3-2)

Point University (GA)

Skyhawks

3-7

1 (1-0-0)

Shorter University (GA)

Hawks

2-9

2 (0-0-2)

Southeastern University (FL)

Flame

NA

0 (0-0-0)

Southern Nazarene University (OK)

Crimson Storm

0-11

3 (0-2-1)

Southwestern Assemblies of God (TX)

Lions

6-4

4 (0-1-3)

Taylor University (IN)

Trojans

5-5

0 (0-0-0)

Trinity Bible College (ND)

Lions

1-10

4 (1-2-1)

Trinity International University (IL)

Trojans

5-5

6 (2-3-1)

University of Northwestern (MN)

Eagles

6-4

1 (0-1-0)

*All-America Reps– Total (1st Team, 2nd Team, Honorable Mention)

Note: Southeastern University begins their first season in the fall of 2014.

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